Formby woods and beach: Everything you need to know before you visit

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I’ve been going to Formby Woods and Beach my whole life. My nan and grandad live in Freshfield. Their house isn’t even a 10 minute walk away from the woods, and so most Saturdays growing up, we’d end up here. The thing I remember most vividly from when I was about seven or eight is the red squirrels. You’d stand completely still with nuts in your hand and just wait, and they’d come to you and eat them out of the palm of your hand. My grandad would stand next to me, and we’d both hold our breath until one got close enough. It’s definitely a core childhood memory of mine.

The squirrels are still there, but you’d be lucky to see one now, let alone have one eat from your hand. It’s such a shame and a quiet loss you only appreciate as an adult.

We live about a 20 minute drive away now, and we come here regularly with the kids. I came here a lot when I was pregnant with my youngest, just to get out and moving.

This post covers everything you need to know before you visit, from parking, what to expect with young kids, prams, the red squirrels, the beach, and where to eat in Formby village.

Where is Formby woods and beach?

Formby is about a 30 minute drive from Liverpool City Centre, just off the A565. The National Trust site covers both the pinewoods and the beach, and you can do one or both depending on how long you have.

I always drive there. For the beach, I use the National Trust car parks – either Victoria Road (L37 1YD) or Lifeboat Road (L37 2EB). Both are paid unless you’re a National Trust member. I’ve paid for parking here so many times over the years that I really should have just got a membership sooner, as it pays for itself quickly if you visit regularly.
If I’m just visiting the woods, there’s free parking on Larkhill Lane, which is a short walk from the pinewoods entrance. It fills up fast on weekends and sunny days, so get there early if that’s your plan.

You can also get there by train from Liverpool Central on the Merseyrail Northern Line in around 30 minutes. Freshfield station is the closest stop to the beach and red squirrel reserve, though due to ongoing conservation work at Victoria Road, Merseyrail is currently directing visitors to use Formby station for beach access instead. I’m not sure how long this will be for at the time of writing, and so it’s worth checking before you travel.

What are Formby Woods like?

As soon as you step under the trees, it feels like another world. The canopy is tall enough to make it feel like a proper forest rather than a local park. It’s quieter and cooler, and feels darker. On a warm day, it’s a relief to be in the shade, but on a dull day, it feels sheltered from the bad weather too.

The ground is always covered in pine cones, and I mean it’s absolutely full of them. My five year old spent most of our last visit hunting for the biggest one she could find, dumping them when she spotted a bigger one further ahead. She also collects big sticks, which she does everywhere we go, in all honesty.

Formby Woods running under the canopy

There’s a main path running through the woods which is pram friendly and easy to follow. But there are also smaller trails that branch off into the trees and over little hills giving the little ones plenty of space to run free.
On our last visit my youngest was in the baby carrier and she babbled at full volume the entire time, which made other walkers smile as we passed. The woods were quiet enough that you could hear her from a distance and it’s quite echoey in there.

You don’t need a plan when you’re there. You just show up and let them go.

A note on the Formby Asparagus Trail

Formby has a surprising food history that most visitors don’t know about, walk straight past the signs. The sandy soil around the dunes was once nationally famous for growing asparagus, and it was considered such a delicacy that it was served in first class on the Titanic. Local farms regularly supplied Harrods and Cunard ocean liners in the 1920s and 30s, but there’s now only one producer left in the area.

A dedicated asparagus walking trail runs through the woods, marked by carved wooden posts at intervals, the same ones people probably walked past without knowing what they were. The season runs from May to mid-June, and if you visit during that window then it’s worth looking out for local asparagus being sold directly from the farm. It grows wild in the dunes too, and so you can see it if you know what you’re looking for.

Formby woods asparagus trail

Is Formby Woods and Beach good for kids?

Yes, but it’s worth understanding what kind of day out it is. There are no play areas and no organised activities. But there is space to run wild, and lots of it. I know for my daughter, that’s enough.

In the woods they can run and climb the dunes. They can collect sticks and hunt for pine cones. The woods work well all year round, we’ve been in every weather eventually. The woods particularly works well in coat, hat and gloves weather as it does on sunnier days.

On the beach, the sea is usually quite far out, so it’s not always the paddling and splashing day you might expect. We’ve walked up to the water but none of us has ever actually gone in. We usually secure our spot in the sand and she plays in the sand. Plus the dunes are nice and soft so she likes to run up them and slide down.

Summer is brilliant for a longer sit-down beach day. Cooler days are better for a walk through the woods and a shorter stretch on the beach before heading into Formby village for food. Both work. It just depends what you’re after.

Prams and accessibility at Formby woods and beach

The main path through the woods is pram friendly and we’ve done it plenty of times with a buggy without any issues. If you stick to the main path you’ll be fine. You just won’t get it over the dunes or side trails.

The beach however, is a different story. I wouldn’t even attempt it with a pram. The sand is soft and deep enough that you’d be fighting it the whole way. If you’re going with a baby or young toddler and you want to get onto the beach properly, a carrier is the way to do it. That’s what I do with my youngest, she’s in the baby carrier for the beach and I can actually move around rather than wrestling a buggy through the sand. To be honest I’ve used the carrier in the woods for our last few visits as she likes to face out and look around.

Formby woods pram friendly

If you’re visiting purely for the woods walk and sticking to the main path, a pram is absolutely fine. If you want to do both the woods and the beach in one trip, I’d bring the carrier for the beach portion and leave the pram in the car or fold it and carry it to the car park.

Can you see red squirrels at Formby?

Formby is one of the few places in England where red squirrels still exist, but is very rare to see them these days.
The grey squirrel is the reason that they’re so rare now. They were brought to Britain deliberately by wealthy Victorian landowners in the 1870s as exotic pets. What nobody anticipated is what would happen next. The grey squirrels spread rapidly, outcompeting the reds for food, and carrying squirrel pox, a virus that’s harmless to greys but fatal to reds.

I remember the greys arriving at Formby over the years. For a while you’d see squirrels that looked like a mixture of the two colours; brownish grey, or grey with reddish tones, and as a child I assumed they were interbreeding. What I was probably seeing was natural colour variation in both species as the populations changed around each other. Sadly, over time, the red ones just stopped appearing.

Formby beach squirrel info

In 2007 squirrel pox hit Formby really hard, and wiped out around 80% of the red squirrel population. A brutal winter the same year reduced numbers to just 15% of what they’d been. I have read that conservation work by the National Trust and Wildlife Trust has brought them back to around 85% of pre-pox levels, which is something I guess, but despite that the woods still feel very different to how they did when I was standing there at seven years old with nuts in my hand.

The best chance of seeing one is early on a quiet weekday morning, and usually in the area around the Victoria Road squirrel reserve rather than the main beach path. Winter can be better than summer since the bare trees give them less cover to hide in. If you do see one, consider yourself lucky.

Formby Beach

Once you get through the woods, the beach opens up in front of you. There’s miles of sand stretching in both directions with the dunes rising behind you. On a clear day you can see Blackpool Tower across the water, and it actually looks like you could walk to it, it’s so clear.

The sea is often further out than you’d expect. It’s not a beach where you arrive and walk straight into the waves, and depending on the tide you might have quite a walk to reach the water’s edge. Check the tide times before you go if that matters to you.

  • Formby beach horse cantering
  • Formby beach collecting big rocks
  • Formby beach looking at shells

One of the things I love the most about Formby Beach is the horses. It’s not unusual to see someone riding along the shoreline, right at the water’s edge. It’s not a guaranteed sighting but it’s common enough that it’s worth watching out for.

Something I’ve never actually found but keep meaning to look for are the prehistoric footprints. Apparently human and animal footprints dating back thousands of years are occasionally exposed in the sand at low tide when the conditions are right. They appear and disappear depending on the tidal movement. If you know what you’re looking for and you time it well, it’s apparently possible to see them. I have found this website called Formby Footprints which gives more detail on the footprints and explains where to find them, it’s definitely something I am going to try to find myself.

The beach never feels overcrowded even on busy days as it’s large enough that people spread out naturally. I’d say the one exception is New Year’s Day. I don’t know how it started but it’s practically a Formby tradition, everyone comes for a walk and it’s the busiest I ever see it. If you’re planning a New Year’s Day visit, go early or expect company.

Parking at Formby Woods and Beach

Victoria Road car park (L37 1LJ)
This is the main National Trust car park for the woods and the red squirrel reserve. It’s £7.50 for the day, or free for National Trust members. You can pay via the JustPark app, or with card or coins at the machine. If you plan to pay via the app, the signal can be bad in Formby and so I would download it before you arrive. Important: this car park has been closed since May 2025 for a major conservation project to restore the sand dune habitat. It was due to reopen spring/summer 2026, and so check the National Trust website before you visit as it may or may not be open depending on when you’re reading this.

Lifeboat Road car park (L37 2EB)
This is the southern National Trust car park, and closer to the beach. It’s the same pricing as Victoria Road, which is £7.50, and free for members. This has remained open during the Victoria Road closure but spaces are limited, particularly on busy days. A few reviews I have read flag vehicle break-ins as an occasional issue here during busy periods. I have never had any issues, but don’t leave anything visible in the car.

Larkhill Lane – free option
If you’re visiting the woods rather than the beach, then there’s free parking on Larkhill Lane which is a short walk from the pinewoods entrance. It fills up fast on weekends, school holidays and sunny days so get there early.

A note on residential street parking
When the car parks are full, people park on the surrounding residential streets. If you do park on a residential street, please be considerate and don’t block any driveways, and of course be mindful that these are people’s homes.

National Trust membership
If you visit Formby regularly, a membership pays for itself. £7.50 a visit adds up quickly. I’ve been paying for parking here my whole life and I’m only now getting a membership, and so don’t make my mistake.

When is the best time to visit Formby Woods and Beach?

I’d say that Formby works all year round and that there’s no bad time to go, it just all depends on what you’re after.

Summer is a classic beach day, with buckets and spades, sat on the sand and the kids burning energy on the dunes. It does get busy, particularly on hot days and school holidays, so I’d arrive early if you want a parking space. The Victoria Road car park has been closed since May 2025 for conservation work, which has put additional pressure on Lifeboat Road, so it’s worth bearing in mind on warmer days.

Autumn and winter visits are quieter and are often just as good. The woods feel different when the light changes and the crowds thin out. A coat weather walk through the pines followed by a warm lunch in the village is one of my favourite ways to spend a weekend morning.

When it snows, which doesn’t happen very often, the dunes turn into a sledging and boarding run and people come out in force with whatever they can slide down on. We took our daughter between Christmas and New Year 2024 when there was snow on the ground. Our friend was at the bottom to catch her and she wasn’t happy about it, she wanted to keep going. If you get a snow day near Formby, get there.

New Year’s Day is the exception to everything, it’s basically a Formby tradition. Everyone comes for a walk and it’s the busiest I ever see the beach, by some distance.

Where to eat in Formby

There are so many places to eat and drink in Formby village and so it’s worth making time for after your walk. Chapel Lane is the main street and there’s a good range of places to eat and drink within walking distance of each other.

Emily’s
This is my first recommendation and my favorite place in Formby. Emily’s is the nicest place in Formby village and has been for a few years. Outside they do a seasonal floral display that changes throughout the year, and it stops people on the street and gets shared constantly on social media, and rightly so. The decor inside it’s just as considered with a Mediterranean feel.

I’ve been here many times for a family breakfast when my aunt visits from Canada, for birthday meals, for brunch with friends, for drinks on a weekday afternoon, and it works for every occasion. You could dress up for a date night or turn up in your walking gear after the beach and feel equally at home. At the back there’s a little water feature where you can make a charity donation which my daughter makes a beeline for it every time.
Book ahead if you’re going for a meal as it does fill up, particularly on weekends.

Don Luigi’s
This is a proper family Italian that we’ve been going to for years. Again, it works for every occasion, from family meals, kids in tow, nothing too complicated. Italian food done well and consistently.

Sorrento
This has a similar feel to Don Luigi’s, but slightly more upmarket and priced accordingly. Worth it for a more relaxed meal when you’re not herding small children.

The Railway
Slightly outside of the village, but here you’ll find classic pub food and a good atmosphere, and I say that as someone who used to work there many moons ago. It’s a reliable choice if you want something straightforward after a long walk.

Blossoms Cafe
A lovely independent cafe in the village. The menu is more substantial than you’d expect with build your own Belgian waffles, a full English breakfast, good sandwiches and a good kids menu with everything from fish fingers to a 4oz burger. They also do ice creams and milkshakes, which my daughter loves.

Is Formby woods and beach dog friendly?

Yes, very much so, and you’ll know it the moment you arrive. Dogs are everywhere at Formby, all year round, on the beach, in the woods, up the dunes. I feel like everyone in Formby must own a dog by the sheer number you encounter.

The rules are straightforward. Dogs must be kept on a lead along the Squirrel Walk to protect the red squirrels and other wildlife. Everywhere else they can be off lead as long as they’re under close control. It’s also worth being aware of the horses on the beach too, they access via the Lifeboat Road path. Keep dogs away from them to prevent any chasing or barking.

No barbecues are allowed anywhere on the site, and there’s very little shade on the beach in hot weather, which is worth bearing in mind on a warm day for dogs who overheat easily.

If you or someone in your group has a fear of dogs, it’s worth knowing that Formby Beach is genuinely one of the busiest dog walking spots in the area. You will encounter dogs throughout. That said, I’ve seen it become much more manageable for someone who was nervous around dogs, with time and familiarity (and some therapy), a place like this can actually help, it really did for her and everyone is really friendly. But go in with realistic expectations if it’s a concern.

Is Formby Woods and Beach worth visiting?

Yes, without question. I have been coming here repeatedly for my whole life. It’s not a structured day and there are no play grounds. But there is space for the kids to run freely. Or as an adult just space for a walk to clear your head. Plus it works all year round, whether it’s snowing or the sun is shining.

The red squirrels give it something special. It’s unlikely you’ll see one, but just knowing they’re there and understanding what it’s taken to keep them there against all odds adds to the experience. And then you’ve got the beach itself, with the dunes rising behind it and Blackpool Tower on the horizon on a clear day, is one of the better stretches of coastline in the North West.

I would come in the morning before it gets busy. Then spend the afternoon in Formby Village, grab a coffee or dinner. You’ll definitely go again.

Final thoughts

I’ve been coming to Formby my whole life and I still look forward to it every time. That’s not something you can say about many places.

It works differently depending on what you need. A winter walk through the pines when you just need to get out of the house. A summer afternoon on the beach with a five year old who has decided the sandcastle needs to be taller than her. A snowy December day watching her refuse to come back up the dune. New Year’s Day with half of Formby and Freshfield doing the same.

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FAQs – Formby Woods and Beach

Yes. It’s one of the best stretches of coastline in the North West. There’s miles of sand, pine woods, red squirrels, sand dunes and a lovely beach that works in every season. It’s not a traditional seaside resort with arcades and amusements. It’s a nature reserve that happens to have a beautiful beach attached.

For a family day out, I’d say Formby. Crosby Beach is worth visiting for the Anthony Gormley iron men sculptures, which are amazing to look at, but it’s a fundamentally different experience. Crosby is permanently red flagged by the RNLI and is not a safe bathing beach. There are serious and well-documented incidents of people getting stuck in the quicksand and deep mud near the water’s edge. Year-round lifeguard cover is in place specifically because of the safety risks. You can walk on the upper part of the beach safely but heading towards the sea is genuinely dangerous. For a beach day with kids, Formby is the better choice.

You don’t pay to access the beach itself. Entry is free for everyone, you just pay for parking if you drive. The National Trust car parks at Victoria Road and Lifeboat Road are £7.50 per day, free for National Trust members. There’s free parking on Larkhill Lane for the woods, but it fills up quickly on busy days.

No. Formby Beach is a National Trust nature reserve and vehicles are not permitted on the beach.

Formby Beach has been used as a filming location several times. Most notably, series 4 of Peaky Blinders was filmed here. The beach and dunes have also been used for the BBC’s War of the Worlds adaptation and the 2004 film Alfie. If you’ve watched Peaky Blinders you may recognise the landscape. I got through most of the series before giving up, but the Formby scenes are worth knowing about.

The red squirrel is what Formby is famous for, though sightings are rarer than they used to be. Beyond that, the site is home to natterjack toads and sand lizards, both rare in the UK. There are also internationally important wading birds, various butterflies and moths, and the beach itself occasionally reveals prehistoric footprints preserved in the sediment at low tide.

Yes, but in much smaller numbers than historically. Squirrel pox, carried by grey squirrels, wiped out around 80% of Formby’s red squirrel population in 2007. Conservation work has brought numbers back to around 85% of pre-pox levels, but sightings are no longer reliable. Your best chance is early morning on a quiet weekday near the Victoria Road squirrel reserve. Go in hoping to see one but don’t bank on it.

Red squirrels, primarily. It’s one of the few remaining strongholds for them in England. The beach and pinewoods are well known across Merseyside and beyond as a National Trust site. It’s also been used as a filming location for Peaky Blinders and other productions, and the Formby asparagus, a local variety grown in the sandy soil, has a long history in the area.

The main path through the woods is pram friendly. Side trails, the dunes and the beach itself are not suitable for pushchairs. For anything beyond the main woodland path, a baby carrier is the more practical option.

Anywhere from one hour for a quick woods walk to a full half day if you’re combining both the woods and the beach. With young children a couple of hours is usually enough before energy runs out. On a summer day with buckets and spades you could easily stretch it to three or four hours.

Yes. The beach and woods are open 24 hours, every day of the year. The car parks have set opening times which vary by season, so check the National Trust website before an early morning or late evening visit. Note that Victoria Road car park has been closed since May 2025 for conservation work, check the National Trust website for the latest on reopening.

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